Collective Violence, Strengths, and Perceived Posttraumatic Growth: A Scoping Review

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Sociology
• Trauma Studies

Background:

• Collective violence (armed conflict, terrorism) causes significant trauma with extensive research on negative outcomes.
• Existing studies often overlook survivors' strengths and potential for posttraumatic growth (PTG).
• The resilience portfolio model offers a framework to understand strength-based resources for PTG.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a scoping review of strengths and PTG following collective violence.
• To identify individual, group, and ecological resources that foster perceived PTG (PPTG).
• To inform culturally sensitive interventions for survivors of collective violence.

Main Methods:

• Scoping review of 52 papers published between January 1995 and May 2023.
• Databases searched included CINAHL, MEDLINE, PsycArticles, and PsychInfo.
• Analysis focused on strengths and PTG in populations affected by collective violence across over 20 countries.

Main Results:

• Identified individual and group meaning-making, regulatory, and interpersonal strengths contributing to PPTG.
• Observed that some strengths like religious coping and social support had mixed associations with PPTG.
• Discovered previously unexamined ecological/systemic supports for PPTG, including political climate and infrastructure.

Conclusions:

• Survivors of collective violence can achieve PPTG through diverse strength-based resources.
• Culturally sensitive approaches are crucial to promote well-being and resilience.
• Further research is needed on ecological factors influencing PTG and effective interventions.